Apparatus for washing containers.



T. L. VALERIUS. APPARATUS FOR WASHING CONTAINERS.

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T. L. VALER IUS. APPARATUS FOR WASHING CONTAINERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 12 1911.

' Patented June 5,1917.

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T. L. VALERIUS.

APPARATUS F 0R WASHING CONTAINERS.

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APPLICATION FILED- MAY I2. 1911.

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THEODORE L. VALERIUS, OF FORT ATKINSON, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO OREAMERY PACKAGE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 5, 1917.

Application filed May 12, 1911. Serial No. 626,748.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THEODORE L. VALERIUS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Atkinson, in the county of Jefferson and State of Wisconsin, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Washing Containers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a machine for washing containers, the embodiment herein shown being particularly adapted for washing ice cream packing cans, although certain features are applicable to machines for washing other styles of containers.

One of the objects of the invention is to produce an improved means for mounting the brushes.

Another object is to provide novel means for supplying water to the brushes.

A further object is to provide valve means for controlling the flow of the water to the brushes.

Another object is to provide a single means for operating said valve means and the brush carrying means. Further objects of the invention and objects relating to details of construction will be more fully understood from the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying the features of my invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken in the plane of line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a horizontal section throi'igh the brushes, showing a container in operative relation'thereto. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a three-way valve comprised in the machine. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view through a strainer or filter embodied in the machine.

The embodiment of my invention which I have herein shown by way of example comprises a base 1, which constitutes a casing for the spindle-driving gears, and also a chamber from which fluid is forced to the interior brushes. Upon the base 1 is 1nounted a tank 2, rectangular in the present construction, the bottom of said tank closing the top of the chamber 1. The tank 2 con stitutes means for preventing the water from splashing upon the operator and also serves as a reservoir from which the washing fluid is drawn by a pump to be later described. I

In the form of machine herein shown two vertical can-supporting spindles 3 are provided, brush heads of different sizes being arranged to be mounted on said spindles to accommodate the varying sizes of ice-cream cans. The lower ends of the spindles 8 are rotatably supported in step bearings a of any suitable construction. Hollow bearing members 5 supported upon the'bottom wall 2 of the tank 2 provide bearings for the middle portion of the spindles 8.

The spindles 3 are rotated by means of a drive shaft 6 and spiral gears 7 fixed on said drive shaft and meshing with the spiral gears 8 fixed upon the spindles 3. 9 and 10 are respectively a loose and tight pulley on the drive shaft 6. Any suitable form of belt-shifting means 11 may be provided.

Removably mounted upon the upper end of each of the spindles 3 is a brush head 12 comprising a casting 13, having three radial arms 14 between which arms are secured brushes proper 15. The castings 13 preferably have a screw-threaded connection with the spindles, as shown in Fig. 8. Plates 16 engaging the edges of the brushes 15 have screws 17 extending therethrough and into the arms 14 for holding the brushes 15 in place. A brush 18 fixed to the upper end of the casting 13 is adapted to contact the inner bottom wall of the ice cream can a. The spindles 3 are hollow and each has a slot 3 near its lower end. Water is forced from the chamber 1 through the slot 3*, the spindle 3, and through ports 12 in the brush head 12 to wet the brushes 15, to prevent matting of the bristles and to prevent dry brushing.

Brushes l9 adapted to contact the outer side walls of the cans a are positioned adjacent each of the spindles 3, said brushes being mounted upon arms 20, fixed to rock shafts 21, which shafts are pivotally mounted in suitable bearings 22, carried by the tank 2. A-rock shaft 23 mounted in bearings at the upper edge of the tank 2 has fixed thereto a hand lever 24, to which is pivotally attached a brush 25 for brushing the outer bottom wall of the container at. A weighted arm 26 fixed to the rock shaft 23 'tends normally to raise the hand lever 24.

erably' insert a strainer 51 of any suitable 7 construction, the one herein shown comrisin an outer casin 52 see Figs. 3 and- '6) communicating at opposite, ends with the pipe 28, and 7 an inner strainer tube 53 spaced from the casing 52 and having one end closed, the open end of said tubebeing positioned adjacent the inlet end of the -.cas.- ing 52 and being fixed to a suitable crosspiece 54 removably fitting within said casing. The end wall 55 of the casing adjacent the inlet end thereof is removable to permit of withdrawing the strainer tube 53 for cleaning purposes, said end wall being held in place by any suitable means such as a yoke 56 pivoted upon the casing and a screw 57 threaded in said yokena-nd bearing against said end wall. Mounted in the pipe 29 is a three-way valve 31 of any suitable construction, said valvebeing adapted to direct the flow from the pump 27 into the :pipe leading to the chamber 1, or into a pipe 32 leading into the upper portion of ater is supplied to the brushes 19 for the outer side of the container at by means of a pipe 33 leading from the pipe 29 and communicating with a pipe 34 extencling along the inner side of one wall of the tank 2. Fixed in any suitable way to each set of the brushes 19 is a vertical spray pipe 35 having a plurality of perforations therein adapted to discharge water against the container a and brushes 19, said spray-pipe I having a port at its upper end arranged to discharge the water against-the upper brush 25. Water is supplied to the pipes through the medium of flexible conductors .136 leading from the ends of the pipe 34 to the pipes 35. As will be seen {the fleni ble conductors 36 permit the brushes 19 and the spray pipes 35 to be moved upon their supports toward and from the spindles E3. p c

The pump 27 may be driven in any suitable-manneras by means of a sprocket chain 37 running uponsprocket wheels 38 and 39 upon the driving shaft 6 and the pump shaft, respectively.

Means is provided forsimultaneously operating the three-way valve '31 and rocking the upper shaft 21 ,which supports thebrushes 19. Said means in this instance comprises a lever 40 fixed uponthe rock the brush.

shaft 23, oneend of said lever being connected by means of a link 41 with an arm 7 i 42 fixed to'the'movablevalve member of the valve 31. Theopposite end of the lever 40 has an adjustable connection with an arm 43 fixed upon the rock shaft 21. Said adjustable connection comprises a link 44 pivotally connected at one end with the lever 40 and havinga slot 45 therein adapted to receive a pin 46 carried by the forked end the upper rock shaft 21 is engaged by a coiled spring 50, said spring tending to hold the brushes 19 in their inoperative position.

, In practice, several of the brush heads 12 of different sizes are preferably provided, said heads being arrangedto be interchangeably mounted oneither of the'spindles 3. In this way any size of can may be washed.

Before starting the machine a quantity of water is placed in the tank" 2, washing powder being added to make a washing solution of the desired strength.

In operation, the machine is started by shifting the driving belt to the tight pulley 10, whereupon :the interior brush heads 12 will be set in rotation, and the pump 27 started. During the time the machine is in use the driving shaft 6 is, of course, rotated. constantly, and at the intervals in which the apparatus is in the position indicated Fig. 2 the water from the pump is by-passed through the'pipe 32 into the upper portion of the tank 2. With the parts in the position just mentioned, the operator grasps a-can and pushes it slowly down over one of the brushes 12, the can being held by the operator against rotation with the brush until :the can is fully in place, whereby the can receives an im' tial interior brushing during the time it is being moved down over W'hen the operator releases the can it rotates with the brush. The operator now lowers the hand lever 24 to carry the brush 25 into engagement with the outer bottom wall of the can, said hand lever be- 7 ingslidden along itssha-ft into'position above the spindle to be used. The lowering movement of sald hand lever 24 simultaneously operates the three-way valve 31 to'direct the discharge of the pump 27 into the cham- -wet the bristles of the interior brushes.

It will be seen that the machine herein disclosed is specially adapted to quickly and thoroughly wash ice cream packing cans. The vertical spindles and upright tank contribute to convenience in handling the cans, and since the water supplying means and the exterior brush means are controlled by a single hand lever, V the time necessary to clean each can is reduced to a minimum. Each can may be brushed just as much as its condition requires.

While I have herein shown and described one illustrative embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction shown, inasmuch as various modifications within the scope of my invention will be apparent to persons skilled in this art. 7

I claim as my invention:

1. In an apparatus for washing large metallic cans, the combination of a tank open at its upper end, a rotary vertical spindle in said tank, brush means fixed on said spindle and adapted to have an inverted can pushed downwardly thereover, exterior brush means mounted in the tank for movement into and out of contact with the outer sides of the can while supported on the first mentioned brush means, a pump adapted to force water to said brush means, a valve for controlling the flow of the water from the pump, and a hand-actuated lever arranged to operate said valve and simultaneously move the exterior brush means into and out of can-engaging position.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for rotatably supporting a container, a rock shaft, brush means fixed to said rock shaft and adapted to move into and out of contact with said container, means for supplying r ,water to said brush'means, a valve controlling the water supply, brush means for the bottom of said container, a hand lever to which the last mentioned brush means is fixed, a connection betweensa-id hand lever and said valve, and a connection between said hand lever and said rock shaft.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for rotatably supporting a container, a rock shaft brush means fixed to said rock shaft and adapted to move into and out of contact with the sides of said container, means for supplying water to said brush means, a ro-' tary valve for controlling the water supply, a second rock shaft, a hand lever fixed thereon, a brush carried by said hand lever and adapted to contact the bottom of the container, a lever fixed on said second rock shaft, a link connecting said lever with said rotary valve and a link connecting said lever with the first mentioned .rock shaft.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a plurality of rotary spindles, brush means fixed thereon and adapted to receive containers, means for supplying water to said brush means, a rock shaft, a hand lever non-rotatably mounted on said rock shaft, means connected with said rock shaft for controlling said water supply, and a brush carried by said hand lever and adapted to contact the bottom of containers, said hand lever being slidable on said rock shaft into position above any one of said spindles.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of brush means adapted to enter a container, movably mounted brush means adapted to contact the outer side walls of the container, means for supplying water to said brush means, a valve for controlling said water supplyingmeans, a brush movable into contact with the bottom wall of the containers, and means connecting the last mentioned brush with said movably mounted brush means and said valve for simultaneous operation.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a chamber, a tank, a rotary spindle, brush means fixed on said spindle within said tank, said spindle being adapted to conduct water from said chamber to said brush means, a pump having its suction end connected with the lower portion of said tank, a conductor leading from the discharge of said pump to said chamber, a three-way valve in said conductor, a second conductor leading from said three-way valve to the upper portion of said tank, movably mounted brush means adapted to contact the outer side of a container, a pipe leading from the first mentioned conductor to said movably mounted brush means, movement of said valve being adapted to throw the discharge from said pump into the upper por ion of said tank or into said chamber and said movablvmounted brush means, brush means adapted to contact the bottom of a container, a connection between the last mentioned brush means and said valve, and a connection between the last mentioned brush means and said movably mounted brush means.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a tank, a chamber, rotary brush means in said tank adapted to her and said outerbrush means, a pivoted extend into and support a container, means for condu ting Water f om s id cham e t said brush means, brush means movably discharge from said pump either into the upper portion of said tank or into said chamhand lever, means connecting said hand lever with said valve and .said outer brush means, and brush means carried by said hand lever and adaptedto contact the bottom of a container.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a rotary spindle, brush means fixed thereon and adapted to extend into and support a container, movably mounted brush means adapted to con tact the outer side wall of the container, means for supplying water to both of said brush means, a valve controlling the water supply, a hand lever, a brush carried by said lever and adapted to contact the bottom of a container, and means operatively connecting said hand lever with said valve and said movably mounted brush'means. -9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of movable brush means, Water supplying means, a valve connected with said brush means and adapted to control said water supplying means, and a second brush means adapted to operate said valve and the first mentioned brush means.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, the vcombination of a tank, a pump having its suction end communicating with the lower portion of said tank, brush means in said tank, means connecting the dischargend of said pump with the upper portion of said tank and with said brush means, and a three-way valve adapted to direct the discharge from said pump either into the upper end of said tank or to said brush means.

with said brush means and with the upper portion of said tank, a three-way valve in sald connecting means and a brush for the bottom ofa contalner, said brush belngvconnected with said valve and with said movably mounted brush means. 7

12. In an apparatus of the character dec ib d, th comb na ion of a ank, a pump ,havingits suction end connected With the lower portion of said tank, a three-way valve into, which said pump discharges, brush means, means connecting one outlet of said valve with said brush means, and means connecting another outlet of said valve with th upper portion o said tank 3- a pparatus {of the cha act r described, the combination of movable brush means for the exterior side wall of a container, independently'mounted brush means for the exterior bottom wall of a container and a connection between said brush means whereby they will move simultaneously to-' ward and away from the container.

14. In an apparatus ofthe character described, the combination or movable brush means for the side of a container, movable with said hand lev r, -21 Second arm on the first mentioned rock shafit, a link adiustably connecting said second armwith said lever, Water supplying means, a rotary valve therein, and a link connecting said rotary valve withthe second mentioned lever.

16. In a can-Washing machine, in combination, means for rotatably supporting a can; a pair of horizontal rock shalt-ts mounted adjacent to said supporting means;

arms ,fiXed on said shafts; a vertical brush head carriedby said arms and arranged to be moved into and out of engagement with a can'mounted .on said supporting means; a spraying device rigidly mounted on said brush head; means for supplying water to Said spraying device; and means for rocking said shafts.

v 17. 'In a can-washlng machine, in. combination, asu-pport; a rotatably mounted canlever andarranged to contact the outer side of the bottom of a can' mounted on. said device; abr-ush for the exterior OfgllllB'SlClGS of the can, said brush being mounted @on said support for movement toward and away from the can; and a connection between the ,last mentioned brush and said hand lever,

whereby movement of said hand lever will carry sald bottom brush and said side brush into engagement with the can. 7

supporting device; a hand lever pivoted on I said support; a brush carried by said hand r 18. In a can-washing machine, in combination, a tank; a rotatably mounted vertical brush in said tank adapted to have an inverted can pushed downwardly thereover; a brush for the outer sides of the can mounted in said tank for movement toward and away from the can; a hand lever pivoted upon the upward portion of said tank; a brush for the bottom of the can carried by said hand lever; and a connection between said hand lever and the first mentioned brush, whereby swinging of said lever will simultaneously move said bottom brush and said side brush toward and away from the can.

19. In a can-washing machine, in combination, means for rotatably supporting a can; a brush for the outer sides of the can, said brush being movable toward and away from the can; a spray device for supplying water to said brush; a valve for controlling the flow of water to said spray device; a brush for the outer side of the bottom of the can; and a hand lever and connections arranged to simultaneously move said side brush and said bottom brush into engagement with the can and to actuate said valve to turn on the water.

20. In a can-washing machine, in combination, a stationary tank open at its upper end; a plurality of rotatably mounted hollow vertical spindles in said tank; brushes mounted on the upper ends of said spindles and arranged to have inverted cans pushed downwardly thereover; a chamber beneath said tank, said spindles being arranged to conduct washing fluid from said chamber to said brushes; brushes for the exterior sides of the cans mounted in said tank for movement toward and away from the cans; a pump arranged to draw water from the lower portion of said tank; conductors arranged to lead the water from said pump to the upper portion of said tank, to said chamber, and to said exterior brushes; a threeway valve in said conductors arranged to direct the discharge from said pump into the upper portion of the tank at times, and at other times into said chamber and said exterior brushes; and means for simultaneously moving said exterior brushes and for actuating said three-way valve.

21. In a machine for washing ice-cream packing cans, the combination of a tank open at its upper end; a rotatably mounted vertical spindle in said tank; a brush head fixed on the upper end of said spindle and having its bristles arranged in the form of a cylinder, whereby an inverted ice-cream can may be pushed downwardly over said brush head and frictionally engaged and retated thereby; a brush for the outer sides of the can, the latter brush being mounted within said tank for movement toward and away from the interior brush; a hand lever move said bottom brush into contact with the can, said outer side brush will also be moved into such contact.

22. In a can-washing machine, in combination, a tank; a rotatably mounted can support vertically disposed within said tank; a rock shaft mounted in said tank; a brush for the outer sides of the can carried by said rock shaft; a second rock shaft mounted in the upper portion of said tank; arms on said rock shafts; a link connecting said arms; a hand lever fixed on the second rock shaft; and a brush mounted on said hand lever and arranged to contact the outer side of the bottom of the can.

23. In a machine for washing large metallic cans, the combination of a base adapted to rest upon the floor and providing an interior chamber, a tank open at its upper end and having its bottom supported by said base at the top of said chamber, a plurality of rotatably mounted hollow vertical spindles in said tank, internal brushes mounted on said spindles, all of said spindles communicating at their lower ends with said chamber and arranged to conduct water therefrom to said internal brushes, a horizontal drive shaft mounted near the bottom of the tank and connected to said spindles for rotating them, a pump arranged to draw water from said tank and discharge the water into said chamber, and an operative connection between said pump and said drive shaft.

24. In a machine for washing ice-cream packing cans, the combination of a tank open at its upper end, a plurality of rotary vertical spindles mounted in said tank, brush heads fixed upon said spindles, said brush heads being of different sizes and being adapted to have different sized cans inverted and pushed downwardly thereover, exterior brush means mounted in said tank and disposed vertically alongside said interior brush heads, the latter being arranged to rotate with reference to said exterior brush means, a hand lever pivoted in the upper portion of said tank, said lever being movable laterally into position above either of said spindles, a brush mounted on said hand lever arranged to swing downwardly therewith and contact the outside of the bottom' of an inverted can and connections between the hand lever and the exterior brush means for moving the latter against the sides of the can when the brush on the lever is moved against the bottom of the can.

25. A machine for washing ice cream packing cans having, in combination, a tank open at its upper end and adapted to con- SIB tain' water, an upright spindle rotatably mounted in a bearing at the bottom of said tank and projecting upwardly therefrom, an internal brush rigidly fixed on the upper part of said spindle to rotate therewith, saiol brush being adapted to have an inverted can pushed downwardly thereover and constituting the sole support for the can,an

external brush mounted in thetank independently of said internal brush and posiposition at one side of and away from the axis of the internal brush so as to permit the can to be placed on and'removed fromthe latter, said internal brush being rotatable.

with reference to both the external brus and the bottom brush.

26. A machine for washing large ice cream packing cans having, in combination, a water tank open at its upper end, a rotary vertical spindle mounted in a hearing at the bottom of the tank and projecting upwardly therefrom, an internal brush rigidly fixed to during the brushing operation, anexternalr brush mounted in the tank and positioned at all times vertically alongside of said internal brush, the latter being arranged, to rotate with reference to said external brush,

a hand lever pivoted onthe upper part of the tank, and a; bottom' brush mounted on said hand lever and arranged to contact with the outer side of the/bottom wall or" the can and being movable up and down with the lever relative to saidinternal and external brushes to permit of placing cans" on and removing them from said internal brush. In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THEODORE L. 'VALERIUS.

Witnesses:

' J. F. SGHREINER,

C. H. A'sPINWALL. V

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner, of Eatcnts, Washington, D.- 03 a r 

